How Much D E To Put In Pool Filter

Guide to Backwashing Your DE Pool Filter

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is fabricated of pulverized plankton fossils (called diatoms) that coat the filter element and acts as a filtration medium. This pulverization works with a specific type of filter that pushes the pool h2o through a set of grids. The grids become caked with the powder that collects impurities to keep the h2o in your inground pool or above-ground puddle crystal articulate and to help maintain your filter'south pressure.

Are you noticing cloudy or dingy pool water? Or are you seeing a pressure level gauge reading 10 psi higher than normal? These are potent indicators that it's time to "recharge" those grids by backwashing your DE filter to strip off the electric current power and replacing information technology with a new glaze.

Backwashing a DE puddle filter is the act of reversing the flow of water inside your filter tank. By changing the direction of the water, you can knock off the caked-on DE powder that has accumulated impurities from your puddle h2o and flush information technology out. This will restore your filter to its highest efficiency to circulate your pool water and keep it salubrious.

Did You lot Know?

During backwash, you can look to replace almost iv-6 pounds of DE powder. Brand certain you accept enough powder on paw before y'all start the process. If y'all don't add enough new pulverization, the grids won't be completely coated, and the dirt in your filter will attach itself right to the cloth on the grids and won't backwash off. You'll know when you've added plenty new powder by checking the reading on the air pressure gauge. When the approximate hits its "normal" operational levels, end adding pulverization.

How to backwash a DE Pool Filter

When to Backwash a DE Pool Filter

Yous should aftermath your DE pool filter almost in one case a calendar month during pool season. In improver to the regular schedule, you'll desire to perform additional backwashing if:

You've been running your pool filter for 48 hours straight. This tin cause a pressure level build-upward, even if the filter grids look clean.
College-than-normal amounts of droppings have entered your pool h2o. A heavy summer storm that washes sediment into your puddle or a large potted establish that tips over into the pool can overtax the DE organization.
Your pool has had a heavy swimmer load for an extended period of fourth dimension. If you lot've had houseguests for several days or your kids had friends over every 24-hour interval of the week, y'all'll need to clear out the remnants from all the extra sunscreen, beauty products, and even sweat that will clog up your DE filter.

Pro tip: At least once during each pool season – and anytime your filter pressure remains high subsequently backwashing – accept the grids out of your DE filter and clean them more thoroughly.

How to Backwash a DE Puddle Filter

Post-obit a handful of easy steps for a standard three-cycle backwash is ordinarily constructive in keeping your DE filter clean:

Step ane: Plow off pool equipment.

Close off the pump at the principal ability switch or, even better, at the circuit billow box. Don't modify modes of operation on the valve with the pump on, or you can damage the spider gasket in the valve.

Footstep 2: Rotate the valve to the "Backwash" position.

For slide valves, turn backwash handle and pull the valve piston straight up to the backwash position. Lock it into position and then it doesn't slide up during operation. For multiport valves, push button the handle down and rotate valve to the aftermath position. Be certain the handle is pressed down all the way as you rotate it.

Step three: Plough equipment back on and run the kickoff cycle.

Turn the pump "in reverse" and run it for 1-three minutes to strip the old DE pulverization and impurities off the filter grids. If you lot have a sight drinking glass, you will run into the h2o alter from cloudy to articulate equally information technology flushes out.

Pace 4: Turn the equipment off again.

Step v: Rotate the valve to the "Rinse" position.

Step 6: Plow equipment dorsum on and run the second cycle.

Switch the pump dorsum on for most 30 seconds to rinse the grids from the "normal" filter side. The water will period in the same as in "Filter" mode, except the h2o and any remaining impurities are purged out the waste line.

Step 7: Repeat steps i-vi two more times.

Decrease the amount of backwash time to 30 seconds, so to 15 seconds. Repeating the cleaning cycle helps clear the really stubborn DE pulverization.

Step 8: Turn the equipment off once again.

Step ix: Rotate the valve to the "Filter" position.

Step x: Turn equipment back on and add new DE powder.

Add together DE powder to the filter to supercede the amount that was backwashed out. Uncover the skimmer closest to the pump and filter, and slowly pour the needed amount into the skimmer while the system is running. The pulverisation will travel through the plumbing and effectively recharge the filter.